How crafting can teach you about life, by a serial craft-tryer.

phoenix cross stitch image via etsy/JustStitchingAU

I have gotten really excited to try a new craft many times, only to invest and realize I didn't like it.

More often than not, I probably started too BIG, when I should have started tiny.

One does not accomplish a large needlepoint pattern quickly and easily (usually) on the first try.

You have to learn a few skills, pitfalls to avoid, hacks to make stuff easier. So trying something small, insignificant, something for yourself - maybe to catch coffee spills or condensation on a water bottle, is the best choice.

Same with habits - we rarely adopt large habits right away, or after 27 days, or even after 60 days. Especially if it feels like a slog.

We need to start tiny, and feel good about the habit we're trying.

Plant a seed, water it with joy, and see how it grows.
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Don't start too big, buy ALL of the colors of floss, and stab yourself a thousand times and give up after you've re-worked one area 5 times.